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HysterSisters
Hysterectomy Choices and Options

Understanding the different types of hysterectomy can help you be better informed and know what types of questions to ask for abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy Defined

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, otherwise known as the womb. Rarely is a hysterectomy an emergency surgery. There is usually considerable time to research and explore options for discussions with your personal surgeon.

Read about Hysterectomy.

Ask These Questions - Explore Your Options

If you have been told you need a hysterectomy and you have explored the alternative treatments for your diagnosis, you have more questions to ask!

Am I a candidate for a minimally invasive surgery?

If your doctor does not have the level of experience with minimally invasive surgeries to offer to you for your choices, it is important to seek the opinion of a GYN surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive options.

Ask these questions:

  • 1. How many surgeries like this for my diagnosis do you perform each year?
  • 2. What percent are abdominal surgeries?
  • 3. What percent are minimally invasive surgeries? (vaginal, laparoscopic) If your doctor only performs a few laparoscopic surgeries per year, you should consider a more experienced and qualified surgeon.
  • 4. Would you recommend a laparoscopic surgery for me? Note: If the answer is "no," ask why not?
  • 5. What is your conversion rate from laparoscopy to abdominal incision? A conversion is where the doctor begins a laparoscopic surgery but decides to change to a more invasive abdominal surgery. The number should be less than 5 percent.
  • 6. What is your complication rate? Major complications should be under 5 percent.

In order to explore all your options, it is important to discuss your surgery options with an experienced GYN surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive options to better understand if you are a candidate. Most women are candidates for less invasive options. Find a specialized surgeon!

Making Your Choice - Explore Your Options

There are several ways a hysterectomy may be performed. Sometimes these choices are not available to all patients for various medical reasons, body mass index (BMI), your diagnosis, size of the uterus, expertise of your surgeon or some other factor. Discuss with your surgeon your options and always consider exploring other options with other surgeons for a second opinion. One surgeon may tell you that you are not a candidate for a less-invasive procedure but another may find you are an excellent candidate. It's time to research!

A hysterectomy removes the entire uterus including the cervix. A partial hysterectomy leaves the cervix. Removal of the ovaries and removal of fallopian tubes may be included in the procedure.

A hysterectomy may be performed entirely through an abdominal incision. Read more about the abdominal hysterectomy.

A hysterectomy may be performed entirely through the vagina. Read more about the vaginal hysterectomy.

A hysterectomy may also be performed with a laparoscope. Read more about Laparoscopic Hysterectomy .

And a hysterectomy may be performed with a robot-assisted laparoscope called a daVinci hysterectomy.

Read more about the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes here.

Get A Second Opinion

HysterSisters recommends that you get more than one opinion when your doctor suggests a hysterectomy. You may have a trustful long-standing history with your doctor and feel horrified that we suggest such a thing! This isn't a slap in the face for your personal physician but a smart thing for every patient to do.

Set up an appointment with a different surgeon in a different practice and even perhaps in a different town. Take your records with you but also ask for an exam. Ask if the first recommendation is appropriate. Ask for alternative suggestions.

Get a third opinion. You might find the third suggests an even less invasive solution or an alternative treatment to completely avoid surgery.

The key is for you, the patient, to get all the information you can before you agree to surgery. You cannot change your mind once the surgery is done. There are no money back guarantees if the surgery is not the cure for your problem. Be smart. Do your homework.



HysterSisters
Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Options

HysterSisters encourages you to discuss your surgery with a GYN surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive options.

Vaginal Hysterectomy

A vaginal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure done through the vagina, removing the uterus and cervix. If your doctor has mentioned a vaginal hysterectomy there will not be an incision in the abdomen. In recent years, the vaginal hysterectomy has become more common as technology provides for additional help to the surgeon. Sometimes this surgery is aided by the use of a laparoscope.

Expect 6 - 8 weeks of recovery time with lifting and straining restrictions for the entire period. It is also normal to expect to have a restriction on intercourse for the whole of the initial recovery period.

Read more about Vaginal Hysterectomy.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

The laparoscopic hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove your uterus. There are several different kinds of laparoscopic hysterectomy surgeries and it is important to talk to your surgeon about your choices. Read more about What You Need to Know About Hysterectomy.

Talk To Your Doctor - Deciding to have a hysterectomy is a difficult decision and the options surrounding your choices can make things confusing. Get a conversation started with your doctor about Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy using this great guide: [Click here]

Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy - LSH

A supracervical hysterectomy removes the uterus but leaves the cervix in place, which some research suggests may reduce the risk of pelvic organ prolapse and preserve sexual function. This is sometimes referred to as “partial hysterectomy.”

Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy - LAVH

During a LAVH, several small cuts are made in the abdominal wall through which slender metal tubes called "trocars" are inserted to provide access for a laparoscope and other small surgical instruments. The laparoscope is like a tiny telescope with a camera attached to that provides a continuous image which is enlarged and projected onto a television screen.

Total Laparascopic Hysterectomy

Just as a LAVH, tiny cuts are made in the abdominal wall to provide access for laparoscope and other surgical instruments. The uterus is removed through the tiny cuts in portions.

Read more about Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.
daVinci® Hysterectomy - DH or RALH

This procedure is done through the use of a surgical robotic device guided and aided by a surgeon. The uterus is cut up into small pieces and removed through the tubes which were inserted into the abdomen OR the uterus is "delivered" vaginally.

Read more about daVinci® Hysterectomy.
Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site Hysterectomy - LESS

This procedure is done through an approximately one inch single incision in the fold of the belly button which avoids the large six to eight inch incision made in the lower abdomen involved in typical open hysterectomy and the multiple (3 - 5) approximately one inch incisions required for standard laparoscopic surgery.

Read more about the Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site Hysterectomy.



HysterSisters
Open Abdominal Hysterectomy

600,000 hysterectomies each year are performed in the United States and until the last decade, the only surgery option was open abdominal incision. Be sure and find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.



HysterSisters
Discussions in our Forums

Join us in our members forums for discussions about hysterectomy and the choices available.

Register to participate in our forum discussions and come talk to other women facing the same choices!

From Our Options Forums

Robotic Myomectomy - Hystercopic Resections

Posted by Purplelicious

Hi, I am a new member from NY. I have struggled with fibroids for three years. I was misdiagnosed early in my fibroid battle, thank God for second opinions. I highly encourage second opinions.

I have had four seperate surgeries, all with the intention of preserving my uterus. I am not ready to give up on someday becoming a parent.
I was diagnosed with two submucosal fibroids, one large penduculated and one intramural.

My first procedure was a D&C. THis is where I was misdiagnosed. I had gone the this doctor for 11 months complaining of n
..... [Read more of this discussion]

I'm worried to have surgury.

Posted by shadowstalker76

Hi i'm new here and i have some worries about surgury. My doctor told me i need surgury, i had a few other doctors say the same. I talked to the doctor about things other than the surgury and we tryed the IUD but it's not working. I heard alot of bad things about a Hysterectomy and i don't know if i want to go thru it. I seem to have alot of fears and worries about it. Can anyone help me with what to expect and let me know if it's as bad as it seems. ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Clueless

Posted by McGee11

Hi! I'm new here. I just joined a few minutes ago. I'm 47 and have been having issues with my period since I started at the age of 10.

I was on my period from 10/25 until 1/23. Some days were tolerable and others had me soaking 4-5 pads an hour. I don't remember much of Christmas because I was in the bathroom for most of it. On 1/11 (my birthday) I had an ultrasound done. It revealed that I had a cyst and very heavy uterine lining.

On 1/26 I woke up feeling quite well. I hadn't been bleeding for a few days. (It was my brother's birthda
..... [Read more of this discussion]

I am so lost!!

Posted by trishr

I found this site after being told in the er on monday that I have fibroids. I went to my family doctor on Monday because of severe lower back pain and was sent to the er because they suspected a herniated disk. I was told that I do not have a herniated disk but that I have fibroids on my uterus. So of course I researched all the information online and ran into this site and was amazed by all the similarities in the symptoms I have had for quit sometime but just figured it was due to getting older or IBS. Some of the symptoms I have had is wei ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Symptomless growth and concerns before surgery

Posted by Mecapi

I guess I should have posted the following in this forum.

Yesterday, I went for a colposcopy. I have no symptoms. I was told I have 9 cm. growth external to the uterus near the ovary - as best as I can understand. The recommendation was to proceed ' in a timely manner' not ' emergency' to have a 'midline laparotomy , possible hysterectomy, possible staging'. Although, I could choose to do nothing. Today, I am now booked for Feb. 14, 2012. I have happily found this forum to read about other peoples experiences, information and suggestions.
..... [Read more of this discussion]

46 yr old - large fibroids - doctor pushing hysterectomy but I'm terrified

Posted by tjc1965

Fibroids discovered in 2007 after complaints of pelvic pressure. Multiple with the largest around 5-6cm, and they've not changed a lot over the years. I've had 3 D&C's since then because of my uterine lining appearing thickened in the ultrasounds. The first resulted in an endometrial hyperplasia diagnosis; the other two have just come back as benign polyps. My last ultrasound did show additional fibroids (scary to me...what if they're cancer), but doctor thinks it may just be because of updated equipment picking up more than the older ones ..... [Read more of this discussion]

New to forums and worried

Posted by nerdfaerie

I posted this in the new user forum as well, but was directed to this forum since I haven't had a hysterectomy and do not have a planned hysterectomy date.

------------------------------------------
I know this is a place for women who are looking into or have had a hysterectomy, but I was hoping I could find a place here as well.

I am newly 40 years old and have had dysfunctional uterine bleeding since my early 20's, gradually getting worse over time. I haven't had a PAP since I was 18 (yes, I now... but we're waiting until the b
..... [Read more of this discussion]

Diet, weight loss and exercise, can these shrink fibroids?

Posted by Marsk

Hi,

Has anyone had experience in shrinking their fibroids using, diet and exercise? It has been suggested that I try loosing weight, trying a supplement to help shrink the fibroids and a liver cleanse as well. Have tried supplements before but they haven't worked. Feel pressured, myself, to make a decision whether to have them removed. It's been years of trying to make a decision. I have an appointment with my gyn next week to discuss options and am feeling so stressed about making a decision. Would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you.
..... [Read more of this discussion]

Endometrial hyperplasia at 28yrs old

Posted by jamiemarie

Hi guys-
I'm 28- endometrial hyperplasia, had a D&C, hysteroscopy & laparoscopy on Friday 1/27 and have my followup appointment this Thursday.

When I search endometrial hyperplasia I see it's usually in women much older than me- anybody here have it in their 20's or young 30's? What was your outcome? I know it depends on the pathology results...but would be interested to hear some stories...and did you end up with hysterectomy?

thanks guys. Kind of losing my mind waiting!!
..... [Read more of this discussion]

DaVinci Myomectomy/Reconstruction 2/7 (IBS symptoms and depression related??)

Posted by BLou27

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and quickly approaching my surgical date. I am scheduled 2/7 for a DaVinci myomectomy for a fibroid that is larger than my uterus, according to my doctor. It is on the back of my uterus and pushing on fun things like my colon and my bladder. I'm 31 and have never had children. The dr says based on location and size, I would likely have trouble carrying a baby to term with this fibroid if we do not remove it...especially since it will continue to grow.

A little bit of history...I have been experiencing IBS type
..... [Read more of this discussion]



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HysterSisters
Give Me a Second Opinion!

Sometimes in the community at HysterSisters, we'll meet a woman who felt rushed into surgery before she could explore other options or process what was happening. If her surgery hit any snags or complications during recovery, regret and anger can sink in. Take the time to get another opinion!

Three Reasons to Get a Second Opinion

Three important things can happen when we get a "second:"

  • 1. We get more information.
  • 2. We may gain a new perspective.
  • 3. We will gain peace of mind.

Read more about Give Me A Second Opinion

Watch our Video and Pass It On

All the women in your life deserve to hear this message. Please pass it on!




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